Bangalore to Chikmagalur — Reach by Air & Road

No flights to Chikmagalur — it has no airport. How to reach it from Bangalore by air and road: nearest airports (Mangaluru, Shivamogga), train and taxi.

Cheap flights from Bangalore to Chikmagalur — book online with FlightGPT

Quick answer: Bangalore to Chikmagalur non-stop flights take about No direct flights — Chikmagalur has no airport, No direct flights — drive ≈ 245 km from Bangalore (≈ 4–5h), or fly to Mangaluru (IXE) / Shivamogga (RQY) and continue by road. This is a domestic route within India, so no visa is required. Use the live search above to compare today's cheapest BLR–— fare across every airline, OTA and travel agent in one place.

Last reviewed July 2026 by the FlightGPT flights desk · route facts cross-checked against DGCA and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) · how we collect fares · editorial policy · fact-checking · fares are live — verify the final price in search before booking.

Looking for cheap flights from Bangalore to Chikmagalur? FlightGPT compares live BLR to — fares across every connected source — Indian carriers, OTAs and trusted travel agents — and shows the cheapest options side by side. Whether you want a Bangalore to Chikmagalur non-stop tomorrow, a last-minute weekend deal or the lowest price three months out, every active Bangalore-Chikmagalur fare is one search away.

Bangalore to Chikmagalur flights — quick facts

Airlines & non-stop options

There are no flights to Chikmagalur — this coffee-country hill town in Karnataka's Western Ghats has no airport of its own. The realistic options are to drive the ≈ 245 km from Bangalore (the most popular choice), or to fly into a nearby airport and continue by road. The two air options are Mangaluru (IXE), about 150 km away with a wide flight network, and the small regional Shivamogga (RQY), about 95 km away but with a thin, partly seasonal schedule. Be wary of booking sites that advertise a "Chikmagalur flight" — they are really selling a flight elsewhere plus a road transfer.

Flight time, distance & routing

Because Chikmagalur has no airport, every journey ends with a road leg. From Bangalore the drive is roughly 245 km and about 4–5 hours via NH75 through Hassan and Belur. Flying in via Mangaluru (IXE) adds a ≈ 150 km, ≈ 4-hour drive over the Ghats; via Shivamogga (RQY) it is a shorter ≈ 95 km, ≈ 2.5-hour transfer, but with very limited flights. Both Bengaluru and Chikmagalur are on Indian Standard Time, so there is no clock change whichever route you take. For most travellers the all-road option from Bengaluru is the simplest and often the quickest door-to-door.

Best time to book & seasonal fares

Since the journey is mainly by road, the "fare" that matters is the air leg into a feeder airport plus the taxi. Bengaluru is by far the cheapest and best-connected entry point, with Mangaluru next; Shivamogga's thin schedule means fares there can be high and seats scarce.

PeriodDemand for ChikmagalurWhat to expect
Post-monsoon (Oct–Feb)High (peak coffee-country season)Book taxis/stays early; air legs firmer
Monsoon (Jun–Sep)Moderate (lush, fewer crowds)Cheaper stays; slippery Ghat roads
Summer (Mar–May)ModeratePleasant hills; mid-range prices

Whichever airport you choose, pre-book the onward taxi in peak season, as cabs from Mangaluru and Shivamogga are limited.

Getting your fare cheaper

The cheapest overall trip is almost always to fly into Bengaluru (BLR) — the most competitive airport in the region — and drive or take a bus to Chikmagalur. Book the air leg two to three weeks ahead and mid-week for the best price. Sharing a taxi or taking a KSRTC or private Volvo bus from Bengaluru cuts the ground cost sharply versus a private cab. If you do fly into Mangaluru or Shivamogga, pre-arrange the transfer rather than negotiating at the airport, where limited cab supply pushes prices up.

Best departure windows

For the road leg, timing matters more than for a flight. Aim to start the Bangalore drive early — before about 07:00 — to clear the city's notorious morning traffic on the way out and to reach the Ghat section in daylight. Driving into Chikmagalur after dark on winding hill roads is best avoided, especially in the monsoon. If you are flying into Mangaluru or Shivamogga, pick a morning or early-afternoon arrival so the onward drive over the Ghats finishes before nightfall. Overnight buses from Bengaluru are a comfortable alternative that get you in by dawn.

Advice by traveller type

Business travellers rarely fly for Chikmagalur itself — most route through Bengaluru and combine it with a wider Karnataka trip. Families and couples on a coffee-estate or hill break usually find a self-drive or hired car from Bengaluru the most flexible, letting you stop at Belur and Halebidu en route. Students and budget travellers get the best value on the overnight KSRTC or private Volvo buses from Bengaluru, which are cheap, comfortable and frequent. Whichever you are, treat Bengaluru as the practical gateway; the smaller airports suit only specific itineraries.

Airports & terminals

Chikmagalur has no airport, so you will use one of three feeders. Bengaluru (BLR) — Kempegowda International, the region's main hub, has a single integrated complex (Terminals 1 and 2); IndiGo, Akasa and the low-cost carriers largely use Terminal 1, while Air India uses Terminal 2. Mangaluru (IXE) — a compact international airport on a tabletop runway, about 150 km away. Shivamogga (RQY) — a small regional airport, about 95 km away, with a limited and partly seasonal schedule. The nearest railheads are Kadur (≈ 40 km) and Birur (≈ 49 km).

Getting to & from the airport

From Bengaluru airport, the simplest onward options are a pre-booked taxi straight to Chikmagalur (≈ 5 hours) or a transfer into the city to catch a KSRTC/Volvo bus from Majestic or Shantinagar. From Mangaluru airport, pre-book a cab for the scenic but winding ≈ 4-hour drive over the Ghats. From Shivamogga airport, taxis are limited — arrange one in advance for the ≈ 2.5-hour run. If you arrive by train at Kadur or Birur, local taxis and buses cover the final 40–50 km to Chikmagalur in about an hour.

Baggage allowance

For the air leg into your chosen feeder airport, standard domestic rules apply: most low-cost carriers include 15 kg checked plus 7 kg cabin, while full-service Air India allows around 25 kg in economy. The road or train leg to Chikmagalur has no formal baggage limit beyond what your vehicle can hold. See the carrier-specific rules on the IndiGo baggage and Air India baggage guides. Pack light for the Ghat drive, and keep valuables and medication in your hand luggage for the road transfer.

Travel tips & weather

Chikmagalur sits in the Western Ghats at around 1,000 m and is pleasant most of the year. The post-monsoon window (October to February) is the classic season — misty mornings, green coffee estates and comfortable days. The monsoon (June to September) is lush and dramatic but brings heavy rain, leeches on trails and slippery Ghat roads, so drive carefully and allow extra time. Summers (March–May) are mild in the hills. Carry warm layers for early mornings, insect repellent in the wet season, and a power bank for the long road legs where signal can drop in the hills.

FlightGPT tip

Do not book a "flight to Chikmagalur" — it does not exist. The smartest plan for almost everyone is to fly into Bengaluru (BLR), the cheapest and best-connected gateway, then drive or take an overnight Volvo bus the ≈ 245 km to Chikmagalur. Reserve only Mangaluru or Shivamogga if your wider itinerary already passes through them, and always pre-book the onward taxi from those smaller airports, where cabs are scarce. Use FlightGPT to find the keenest Bengaluru fares for your dates.

Frequently asked questions

Are there flights from Bangalore to Chikmagalur?

No. Chikmagalur has no airport, so there are no direct flights. You reach it by road - about 245 km and 4-5 hours from Bangalore by car or bus - or fly to a nearby airport such as Mangaluru (IXE) or Shivamogga (RQY) and continue by taxi.

What is the nearest airport to Chikmagalur?

The small regional airport at Shivamogga (RQY) is closest at about 95 km, but it has a thin, partly seasonal schedule. Mangaluru (IXE), about 150 km away, has far more flights. Most travellers fly into Bengaluru (BLR), about 250 km away, for the widest choice.

How do I get from Bangalore to Chikmagalur?

By road. Drive or take a taxi the ≈ 245 km (about 4-5 hours) via NH75 through Hassan and Belur, or take a KSRTC or private Volvo bus from Bengaluru. There is no rail station in Chikmagalur itself - the nearest railheads are Kadur and Birur.

How far is Chikmagalur from Bangalore?

About 245 km by road via NH75, roughly a 4-5 hour drive depending on traffic out of Bengaluru. The route runs through Hassan and Belur, with the final stretch climbing into the Western Ghats.

Can I fly to Mangaluru for Chikmagalur?

Yes. Fly into Mangaluru (IXE), which has a wide network, then take a pre-booked taxi for the scenic ≈ 150 km, ≈ 4-hour drive over the Ghats. It suits travellers coming from the coast or pairing Chikmagalur with a coastal trip.

Is there a train to Chikmagalur?

Chikmagalur has a small station with limited services. The nearest well-connected railheads are Kadur (≈ 40 km) and Birur (≈ 49 km), both about an hour away by local taxi or bus. Most visitors prefer the road journey from Bengaluru.

What documents do I need for this trip?

For any flight leg you need a valid government photo ID (Aadhaar, passport, driving licence, voter ID or PAN) matching your ticket. The road or train journey needs no special paperwork - this is a domestic trip with no visa or permit requirement.

When is the best time to visit Chikmagalur?

October to February is the classic season - misty, green coffee country with comfortable days. The monsoon (June-September) is lush but rainy with slippery Ghat roads. Summers (March-May) are mild in the hills.

How does the monsoon affect the journey?

The June-September monsoon makes the Ghat roads slippery and can slow the drive, so travel in daylight and allow extra time. Flights into Mangaluru and Shivamogga can occasionally be delayed by heavy rain. The hills themselves are at their greenest then.

Is the Shivamogga airport reliable for Chikmagalur?

Shivamogga (RQY) is the closest airport at about 95 km, but its schedule is thin and partly seasonal, with limited carriers and few daily flights. Check current availability before relying on it; Bengaluru and Mangaluru are far more dependable.

Can I take a bus from Bangalore to Chikmagalur?

Yes - this is a popular and economical option. KSRTC and private operators run frequent buses, including overnight Volvo services from Bengaluru's Majestic and Shantinagar terminals, reaching Chikmagalur in about 5-6 hours.

Should I self-drive or hire a car?

Both work well. A self-drive gives the most flexibility to stop at Belur, Halebidu and viewpoints en route, while a hired car with driver lets you relax on the winding Ghat roads. Start early from Bengaluru to clear city traffic and reach the hills in daylight.

Is a permit needed to visit Chikmagalur?

No. Chikmagalur and its coffee estates are open tourist areas with no permit requirement. Some private estate stays and certain wildlife or trekking zones (such as Mullayanagiri or Bhadra) may have their own entry rules, so check with your host or the forest department.

Ask FlightGPT — Bangalore to Chikmagalur in plain English

FlightGPT is a natural-language flight search: ask the way you'd ask a friend, and it compares live BLR–— fares across every airline, OTA and travel agent. Try one:

Booking the lowest Bangalore to Chikmagalur airfare

There is no single "cheapest day" to fly Bangalore to Chikmagalur — the lowest fare is the one you find by comparing live. Open the search above to line up Bangalore–Chikmagalur prices across ; booking ahead and avoiding peak weekends typically trims 25–40 percent off the walk-up fare.

Booking Bangalore to Chikmagalur at short notice

Flying Bangalore to Chikmagalur at short notice doesn't always mean overpaying. Off-peak departures and unsold seats on can surface real same-week deals. Put your date into the FlightGPT search above and we'll show every available BLR–— fare side by side in seconds.

Bangalore to Chikmagalur non-stop and direct flights

Most travellers prefer the Bangalore to Chikmagalur non-stop option. The direct Bangalore-Chikmagalur flight time is No direct flights — Chikmagalur has no airport. If you are flexible, 1-stop alternatives through major hubs can be 15-30 percent cheaper. FlightGPT lets you filter by "Direct only" or compare both side by side — useful when you want the cheapest Bangalore Chikmagalur ticket but are open to a layover.

Bangalore–Chikmagalur pricing, explained

Bangalore–Chikmagalur pricing rewards comparison over loyalty: the best value rotates between low-cost and full-service carriers depending on the date. FlightGPT's grid surfaces every Bangalore Chikmagalur fare with baggage and meals counted in, so the genuinely cheapest all-in ticket is the one that rises to the top.